Deadline looms for freight strategy

Final submissions are being called for the National Freight and Supply Chain Inquiry discussion paper.

Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Darren Chester said stakeholder input was essential to ensuring Australia could best take advantage of the growing freight task.

“This inquiry, which will feed into the National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy, will ensure Australia can meet the needs of consumers, businesses, and domestic and international markets and realise the opportunities to produce more local goods,” Mr Chester said.

“Our freight task will grow by 50 per cent over the next two decades as our nation's population increases, creating additional demands on our transport network.”

The strategy would ensure the right policy and regulatory settings were in place to optimise long-term infrastructure investments, boost Australia's prosperity, and meet community expectations for safety, security, and environmental amenity, he said.

“Everyone is part of the national supply chain, whether you are a producer competing with domestic and global markets, a freight operator shifting those products to our ports, or a consumer who wants the best value possible," Mr Chester said.

“With submissions closing on 28 July 2017, I would encourage all interested parties to have their say and help shape Australia's freight future.”